A Father’s Perspective: Memphis Football Has That “It” Factor

“I don’t let them know how good they are, I like to make them think they’re average,” said Darryl Minor Sr., the father of Kobee and Darryl Jr.

The brother tandem committed to Memphis on Wednesday, tacking onto the Tiger’s portal class that ranks 14th in the nation (Rivals). Darryl, the older of the two, is a 6-foot, 225-pound linebacker. Kobee is a 6-foot, 185-pound defensive back. 

I had the chance to sit down and talk with Darryl Sr. about his sons’ commitments to Memphis, which he claims has ”the it factor.”

Kobee took visits to power-leave schools like Michigan State, but they didn’t fill out the checklist Memphis could. From the Texan connection the brothers have with Tigers Seth Henigan and Keonde Henry, to the coaching staff focused on development, or the chance—scratch that—expectation to play in the College Football Playoff, the Tigers and head coach Ryan Silverfield are managing the transfer portal like never before.

Kobee’s Journey

Darryl Sr. says his sons “love the big stage.”

That couldn’t be more true for Kobee, who once held former Ohio State wide receiver and top-5 draft pick Marvin Harrison Jr. to just 4 catches and 18 yards. He began his career at Texas Tech, where redshirted his freshman year.

After struggling for playing time as a Red Raider, he transferred to Indiana in his junior year and was named honorable mention All-Big Ten with 29 tackles and four pass deflections.

The scouting report from his father? A twitchy and instinctual lockdown corner who can cover a third of the field. He’s capable of playing anywhere in the secondary, but the boundary is his specialty.

Darryl’s Journey

Darryl Jr. had a different path than his younger brother.

He started at Tyler Junior College, where he racked up 156 tackles and 33 tackles for loss in 2 seasons. He later transferred to UTEP, where he was buried on the depth chart behind 2024 NFL draft pick Tyrice Knight. He appeared in three games on special teams.

He redshirted the 2023 season at Indiana and now hopes to crack a deep linebacker rotation at Memphis with two years of eligibility remaining.

According to his father, a prep football coach, Darryl Jr. is a hungry, agile linebacker who excels in blitz packages with the ability to cover tight ends and running backs. A 4.45 40-yard dash is one of the more impressive parts of his game. 

A Father’s Perspective

Darryl Sr. couldn’t help but rave about his sons.

He may make them feel average to their face. But it’s all praise behind closed doors. The brothers host coat giveaways to homeless shelters. They plan on continuing that practice of giving back to the community in Memphis.

”They’re excited, man. We’re excited. They can’t wait to get involved with Memphis and its fans. We didn’t feel this type of excitement at other schools,” Darryl Sr. said. “They feed off each other in the locker room and on the field. Daryl is laid back and calm, and Kobee is vocal and intense.”

Expectations

The Minor family expects to play on the biggest stage: The College Football Playoffs. But what should Memphis fans’ expectations for the Minor Brothers be? 

Darryl Jr. joins a stacked linebacker room returning first-team All-AAC Chandler Martin and adding three transfers including Tennesee’s former leading tackler Elijah Herring. Finding the field may be difficult at first, but his father is confident he’ll find a role—whether that be on defense, special teams or both.

“When he finds the field, it will be difficult to take him off,” Darryl Sr. said.

Kobee finds himself in a defensive back group experiencing large turnover. Simeon Blair, Joe Norwood, and Malik Feaster were lost to graduation, while DeAgo Brumfield among others entered the transfer portal.

Kobee’s experience and talent are key reasons why he will start from day one. He also enters next season with two years of eligibility remaining.

”Kobee could have gone to the draft last year. Round 5 or 6,” Darryl Sr. said. “He is leaving his options open, but [he could enter the 2025 NFL Draft] if things go to plan.”

With the Minor brothers, the Tigers grabbed not only a great story and an even better family, but legit NFL talent.